King Mountain is a rather obscure peak in the Algoma Highlands north of Sault Ste. Marie. I'm not sure where I first heard of it but it was rumored that there were some truly spectacular views from the top. After no small amount of searching, and a little outside help, I found that the peak was located adjacent to a local cross-country ski club known as Stokely Lodge. I set out on this 6-mile hike with high hopes of visiting yet another of Algoma's remarkable, open peaks.

Alas, this was not to be. You can't win 'em all I guess. The trails most of the way to the top were wide and fairly well-marked. The summit trail was another story. Listed as a 'backcountry trail' it was not really a trail at all. The final mile to the top turned into a bushwhack between vaguely marked trees. Finally, upon reaching the top I discovered that the 'sweeping views' amounted to a narrow overlook through the trees. Not quite the payoff I expected. Nevertheless, any chance to get out in the woods is great with me and I tried to make the most of my visit...

King Mountain, ON (9-09-09)

The Stokely parking area. The signs request that you walk the 1/3 km to the lodge and trailhead...

Stokely Creek Lodge Trailhead

Getting my bearings...This was the first decent map I had seen of the trail system so this photo was my guide for much of the trip...

Stokely Creek Lodge Trailhead

The route I ended up taking...in all I estimate it was about a 6-7 mile loop...

Upper Stokely Trail

Coming up on one of the ski chalets at Stokely Lodge...

Upper Stokely Trail

Signs of fall in the treetops, even though it didn't feel like autumn with temps nearing 80...

Upper Stokely Trail

Stokely Lodge...in the winter this looks like it is a rather bustling cross-country ski lodge. Today I found that I was the only one here...

Roth Trail

King Mountain here I come!!

Roth Trail

Crossing Stokely Creek not far from the trailhead...

Roth Trail

The trails near the lodge were VERY well groomed...

Suomi-Roth Trail Junction

Making my first turn onto the Suomi Trail...

Suomi Trail

Suddenly I broke out under these power lines...with no trail signs I made my best guess that the trail followed them up the hill...

Suomi Trail

I was a bit concerned as this didn't feel very trail-like...not far from here though I found signs that told me I was indeed on the right track...

Suomi Trail

Power lines are ugly but occasionally they open up some nice views...

Suomi Trail

What turned out to be the only view I got until the summit from the power line clearing...

Suomi Trail

There were a number of these dry, rocky stream beds crossing the trail on the way up...

Suomi Trail

I found this stretch of trail particularly peaceful...

Suomi Trail

I soon found out that the higher I got on this hike the trail would get progressively overgrown...

Suomi-King Mountain Trail Junction

Still on the right track!

King Mountain Trail

To add to my already uneasy feeling of being the only one out here today there were signs everywhere of animals that I would prefer not to meet on my hike...Moose tracks were the most common though here I found a fairly fresh Black Bear track...

King Mountain Trail

The care the people of Stokely Lodge take to help drainage along the trail is obvious here...

Upper Taylor Creek Trail

Ohhhh, dangerous hill...I guess I'll watch my step!

Upper Taylor Creek Trail

Ascending the 'dangerous hill'...

Upper Taylor Creek Trail

I took this as a good sign...haha, get it...sign? Oh my...

Upper Taylor Creek-Mantle Trail Junction

Reaching this height-of-land my hopes were high of finally reaching the summit spur...

Upper Taylor Creek-Mantle Trail Junction

As opposed to earlier, this is NOT a good sign...The Mantle Trail is the route to the summit...

Mantle Trail

The Algoma Region's version of a backcountry trail...bushwhacking between vaguely marked trees...

Mantle Trail

One of the steeper climbs along the Mantle Trail...

Mantle Trail

As I neared the top the 'trail' followed a shallow, muddy, fern-choked ravine...

King Mountain Summit - 1,850'

After all the work to get here I was more than a bit disappointed to discover a tree-covered summit...

King Mountain Summit - 1,850'

Not quite the spectacular views I had been led to believe I would have at the summit...that, and it clouded up just as I got here...King Mountain summit.

King Mountain Summit - 1,850'

The only cloud around and its sitting right over me...this was frustrating...

King Mountain Summit - 1,850'

After a good fifteen minutes of swatting mosquito's the sun finally broke out allowing me a somewhat better, though still hazy, shot of the view...

King Mountain Trail

I didn't waste much time taking pictures on the way down...it pretty much just looked like this...

King Mountain-Peterson Trail Junction

The end of the King Mountain Trail...

Peterson Trail

Backcountry amenities...no, I did not try it out for myself...

Peterson Trail

Breaking out into the open, and the heat, along the Peterson Trail...

Peterson Trail

My first view of King Mountain from below...near Stokely Creek along the Peterson Trail...

Peterson Trail

Beaver ponds are always pretty...

Upper Stokely Trail

A familiar spot from a different angle...I had stood near the power lines on the other side of the ravine earlier in the hike...

Upper Stokely Trail

One last look back at King Mountain thanks to those oh-so-beautiful power lines...

Upper Stokely Trail

A late afternoon sun lighting up some early color...getting into my favorite hiking season...I can't wait!!